Jay Dee Tingler

Jay Dee Tingler, 85, of Midwest City, OK passed away at his home on May 9, 2015. Jay was born the fifth of 10 children and second of three sons on June 4, 1929 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to the late Nelson and Fronia Tingler. He joined the service in the fall of 1946 at the age of 17 following his junior year in high school graduating with his class the following spring. Jay wed LaDawn Elizabeth Skelton on December 23, 1948 who passed in 1999 after 50 happy years of marriage. Jay proudly served 20 years in the US Army and US Air Force. During his service, Jay and LaD awn resided all across the country raising five children in North Carolina, Mississippi, California, Alaska, South Carolina, and Oklahoma. Jay served his country in the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged at the rank of Chief Warrant Officer from the Air Force in 1967. He worked as a Civil Servant at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City for 18 years until retirement. In later life Jay spent much time traveling with his beloved wife LaDawn completing a visit to all 50 states. Jay earned the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 14. He was active in Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as commander of American Legion Post # 16 in Shawnee in 1991-92. He held an Extra Class amateur radio license with call sign WZ5B. He enjoyed model trains, astronomy and completed a written memoir of his life. During his travels and at home he conducted extensive genealogical research into his and LaDawn's families creating and collecting many photographs and documents. Jay is survived by four sons: Dan Tingler of Midwest City; David Tingler of Stillwater; Doug Tingler of Shawnee; and Joe Tingler of Norman. His daughter Debbie Tingler passed in 2013. He is survived by 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Services will be at Walker Funeral Home in Shawnee on Wednesday May 13 2015 at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Tecumseh Cemetery.